Nomination Papers Now Available for Special Election to Fill Ward Three City Council Seat

The Board of Election Commissioners reminds the public that the City of New Bedford has scheduled a special election to fill the vacant Ward Three New Bedford City Council seat. The preliminary election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 28, 2017 and the final election will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2017.

As of today, Wednesday, February 1, 2017, nomination papers are available for persons intending to become a candidate for the Ward Three Council seat. Nomination papers may be obtained from the Office of the Board of Election Commissioners in New Bedford City Hall.

Individuals who take out nomination papers will also receive an information packet which includes the election calendar, a list of polling locations, as well as copies of relevant sections of the City Code of Ordinances and Massachusetts election laws. A candidate must obtain at least 50 certified signatures from voters in Ward Three in order to be named as a candidate on the preliminary ballot.

Nomination papers must be returned to the Election Office by February 8, 2017 for certification. Once the signatures are certified, candidates may pick up their nomination papers to review and then file officially by February 22, at 5:00 P.M. The deadline to file a withdrawal or to object to uncertified signatures is February 24, 2017 at 5:00 P.M.

The deadline for Ward Three residents to register to vote in the Preliminary Election is Wednesday, March 8, 2017 and April 5, 2017 to register to vote in the final election. The Election Office will have extended hours on these dates to allow voters more time to complete the voter registration process.

Any city resident with questions about his or her voting status, voting precinct or to request an absentee ballot, is encouraged to contact the New Bedford Elections Office at (508) 979-1421.